With the conclusion to the 2019-2020 high school basketball season, and while the state of Arizona is currently trying to navigate the COVID-19 virus, as many other states around the country also look to make adjustments and remain healthy, it is time for our Arizona Preps staff to return to the amazing high school basketball season that recently ended and make our selections for Arizona Coach and Player of the Year.
While we have made our selection for our Arizona Player of the Year in the AIA ranks, we also now are making our selections for the Player of the Year in the prep school ranks as well.
Hillcrest Prep 6-foot-9, 230-pound superstar junior forward Michael Foster came to the state of Arizona from Milwaukee, WI, last summer in fine fashion, and immediately became the state's top overall prospect, as he was rated as high as the nation's top overall prospect in America's 2021 Class by numerous services around the nation. While the state was already loaded with serious national talent, no other prospect in the state is currently as highly acclaimed or decorated as much as Foster - and that's saying a lot.
While Hillcrest had some struggles early on last season, Foster was an absolute force for the program night in and night out, and absolutely dominated his competition throughout the season - leading Hillcrest Prep to numerous wins and several big tournament championship victories. While Hillcrest Prep played the nation's toughest overall prep schedule this past season, Foster was the most impressive underclassman big in the country.
Amidst elite team and opposing player competition this past season, Foster averaged very impressive numbers - 26 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks per/game. What was actually most impressive was that he posted these ridiculous numbers on a very loaded team of prospects that included numerous high-major talented performers.
Currently, Foster has a large number of scholarship offers for himself, as you might imagine, but he is currently focusing on Baylor, Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, LSU and UCLA, I was advised by the Hillcrest Prep program.
Foster is a sure-fire NBA talent and pro-prospect for the future, and it is absolutely scary to believe that he will be back for another prep season next year. He is a very nice young man that carries himself at a high level on and off the court as well, which is very impressive and will suit him nicely over time.
While Foster's overall talent and promise for the future are glaring, for his tremendous overall performance last season against the nation's elite teams and players, and the high level of consistency that he played at all season long, Michael Foster is our 2020 Arizona Preps Prep Player of the Year.
